They have scored 23 goals, their lowest output after the first 10 games since 1975-76, when they notched 18.

A team whose main concern was defense is desperately seeking solutions for its offense.

The Red Wings juggled lines, splitting up stars Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg on Wednesday. They brought up skilled rookie Gustav Nyquist from the Grand Rapids Griffins but sent him back after only one game.

They have talked about needing more traffic and second chances, being harder on the goaltender.

They are trying different things, but nothing is working. They are winless in five (0-4-1) heading into tonight’s game against the Calgary Flames at Joe Louis Arena.

It bothers coach Mike Babcock that they’re wasting good performances from goaltender Jimmy Howard, who has allowed six goals in the past three games.

"I think Howie’s been unbelievable," Babcock said. "I just know when you’re a pitcher in baseball and the team never gets any runs and you go into the ninth inning 0-0, it gets ugly. They need some run support. We got to do a better job for him. I think our goaltending’s been excellent.

"I think the other goaltending has been good, but you can’t let the other goaltender be good, you got to go get him."

Datsyuk and Zetterberg usually thrive on the same line. But Datsyuk has only two goals and eight points, and Zetterberg just two goals and two assists. They are a combined minus-9.

"I just played Pav and Z together nine straight games and through that time we haven’t done anything, so I’m not playing them together," Babcock said. "We need more people going. Maybe (Datsyuk and Zetterberg) can help them get going. They got to help themselves as well."

Datsyuk will play with Danny Cleary and Jiri Hudler, Zetterberg with Johan Franzen and Todd Bertuzzi.

"We have moments, but we can’t score. That’s a big problem," Datsyuk said. "Keep working same way. It’s coming sooner or later. It’s frustrating. We have to be hungry more."

Zetterberg echoed that frustration.

"It will turn around. You just have to believe," Zetterberg said. "We have to just be a little more assertive when we get the chance to score goals. The worst thing you can start to do is doubt yourself."

The Red Wings are averaging an NHL-best 35.8 shots per game. They’re just not finishing.

"We’ve taken a lot of shots, but we’re not getting there for rebounds and the ugly goals, the kind you get when you’re on a roll," captain Nicklas Lidstrom said. "You’re squeezing your stick too hard and pressing too much. That’s showing of late."

Bad penalties

They have taken uncharacteristically undisciplined penalties lately. On Saturday, three consecutive penalties in the third period hampered their comeback efforts in 1-0 loss at Minnesota. On Tuesday, they were short-handed eight times -- and the last one resulted in Devin Setoguchi’s power-play goal in overtime, which lifted the Wild to a 2-1 win.